How long can a cat go without eating?
…several weeks without food as long as they are drinking water. However, kidney problems often don’t have a good outcome in cats. I have lost three to kidney trouble, two rather suddenly. The third lived about 6 months and was maintained at home with sub-Q fluids and special food. I have heard of some cats living up to three years this way. One of the problems is that kidney disease can make a cat feel nauseous and so uninterested in eating. The fact that your cat is drinking and sleeping is a good sign. If your cat stays crouched in the characteristic posture that shows their kidneys are hurting then the outlook is iffier. Sub-Q fluids are the mainstay of CRF care and are the most successful treatment I know about. Ypur vet may teach you how to do this at home – it isn’t hard to do and makes a huge difference in keeping your cat’s electrolytes correct and keeping the animal hydrated. Low protein diets are recommended for CRF cats but low phosphorus is thought to be more critical. Yo
First, if your cat is an outside cat there may be another family around there providing food, or your cat has found a source of food in the wild. These are answers already given. I doubt if the vets are not taking it seriously, but if your cat is not losing weight then he/she is getting food somehow. Cats usually like smelly things like liver sausage–try that. Also, check what you are feeding the cat and make certain it isn’t disappearing or that your cat isn’t sneaking food from another pet. Also, if you have a brother or sister they could be feeding her table scraps. If she isn’t losing weight then that is the key thing. One more thing…you said your cat is drinking water: is she drinking a LOT of water or some now and then? If she is drinking all the time she may be diabetic. Also, check inside her mouth to see if there is a real bad tooth or something stuck inside there. I see nothing wrong with taking her to a third vet, either. Good luck.
